News and reports

People with little or no English struggle at all points of their healthcare journey. Our new research shines a light on barriers and delays to care they often experience and calls for equal access for all.

Take a look at our supporting papers for the March committee meeting.

Our report sets out what funding the Healthwatch network has received to carry out its statutory activities in 2021/22 and the impact of system transformation.

New research shows that many NHS trusts are not meeting their legal duty to help people with additional communication needs.

As part of our 'Your Care, Your Way' campaign, we have set out five headline recommendations to help health and care services ensure that people who have communication needs are given their healthcare information in the way they need it.

Between September and November 2021, we submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to over 200 National Health Service (NHS) provider trusts to gather details on compliance with the Accessible Information Standard.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people have shared their experiences of healthcare information and communication with us. We take an in-depth look at the impact of not being given information in the way you need had on you.

So you can take part in our campaign Your Care, Your Way, we have created our survey in several alternative formats, including Easy Read.

Everyone should be given healthcare information in the way they need it. Read an overview of our campaign and find out more about Your Care, Your Way in British Sign Language and Easy Read.

We’re delighted to let you know that Louise Ansari, our new National Director, has started with Healthwatch England today.

With a record six million people currently waiting for hospital treatment, the NHS has today set out a plan to address backlogs that built up during the Covid-19 pandemic and tackle long waiting lists for care. Read our response.

Our nation’s health faces enormous challenges. Find out in our Annual Report to Parliament how your feedback has helped NHS and social care services improve care and our plans for the future.